NFL SWOT Analysis: AFC West

Denver Broncos

Strengths – The Broncos once again have an athletic offensive line lacking big names. However, this is an ideal fit for Josh McDaniels’s offense. As a rookie, LT Ryan Clady proved to be one of the best pass blockers in the game. Center Casey Weigman was a pro bowler. At TE, the team has Daniel Graham who was successful in his days in New England in the same offense. Tony Scheffler may not be as athletic as Ben Watson, but isn’t far, and boasts better hands. Look to them to be a strength in the offensive attack. On Defense, if either Robert Ayers or Jarvis Moss step up, the LB crew could bring this defense to the level that can help the team survive in the playoffs.

Weaknesses – Many will disagree, but I think settling on Kyle Orton was a mistake. Sure, he won some games in Chicago, but this is an offense that’s built on padding a QB’s stats. If Orton’s numbers don’t shine, he’s gotta go. Could people be laughing at the Broncos for passing on Jason Campbell in a very easy trade? The defensive line is made up from a bunch of junk from other teams. Ronald Fields may be the best of the bunch, and that’s not saying much. All three starters look like stop-gaps that will be replaced at some point.

Opportunities – Correll Buckhalter, if healthy, can show why Andy Reid kept giving him so many chances after so many season ending injuries. Eddie Royal steps into the WR1 role with Brandon Marshall’s situation in flux. Brandon Stokely must return to form from when he was a 1000 yard receiver. If not, Orton doesn’t have many long options. Alphonso Smith is a mature rookie who will be needed at CB. The starters are either past their prime or getting there quickly.

Threats – The Brandon Marshall situation could have an effect in the locker room and on the field. Players could be torn on whether he should stay or go. One thing remains clear: If he leaves, there will be some huge shoes to fill on offense, as he is an elite receiver on the field. One of the things the team has lacked (and still does) is an offensive leader. The team could use someone like that to keep teammates like Marshall in line.

Passing/Receiving the Torch – Dawkins (the older player in this case) taking the Defensive Captain/Leadership role from Champ Bailey. Honestly, while Bailey has heart, he’s never been a defensive captain type. Dawkins brings a lot to the table for this team.

Position Battle – OLB opposite Elvis Dumervil: Five candidates. Mario Haggan is penciled in as the starter for now. However Darrell Reid, Robert Ayers, Jarvis Moss and Tim Crowder will all vie for the spot.

Rookie Contributor – CB Alphonso Smith could wind up starting over Andre Goodman, depending on what happens in the preseason. OLB Robert Ayers is in the mix for the starting OLB spot. Both Darcel McBath and David Bruton could see time at SS.



Kansas City Chiefs

Strengths – This is a young team. Give them a season to pull it all together, and they can surprise. The DBs are a very young crew. They did an admirable job last year with their top 3 CBs being rookies (Brandon Flowers, Brandon Carr, Maurice Leggett), and both Ss in their second year (Jarrad Page and Bernard Pollard). This group could end up leading this defense for the next half-decade. The O-Line is a tough group. Larry Johnson has every opportunity to return to All-Pro form. Adding Mike Goff at RG solidified the weakest link on the line and forms a great run-blocking tandem on the right side with Damion McIntosh.

Weaknesses – At this point, the backup D-Line looks better than the starters. Tank Tyler and Tyson Jackson need to step up and claim their starting spots. Glenn Dorsey just needs to show up in some way…any way…to give the team some hope that he might one day pan out. Beyond Dwayne Bowe, the WRs on this team are weak. When the team is counting on Ashley Lelie, Bobby Engram, Amani Toomer and Devard Darling to step up, there is trouble.

Opportunities – The quartet of LBs have two leaders that the team can learn a lot from. Mike Vrabel has lived in the 3-4 defense, and Zach Thomas (whether he can get on the field or not) can teach youngsters about heart. With both of those players placed around him, Derrick Johnson takes on a playmaker role that could have him putting up great numbers. On offense, Brad Cottam must show that he can take the starting TE spot. He has a lot of untapped potential that would ease the loss of Gonzalez, even if it’s only eased a little.

Threats – With Dwayne Bowe given extra bench time, how soon before he formally asks for a trade? Apparently the Jets are interested. The team doesn’t have the receiving corps to make up for that loss. Todd Haley also has to remember that he doesn’t have Fitz, Boldin and Breaston anymore.

Passing/Receiving the Torch – Matt Cassel from Larry Johnson as the new big-money under-achiever.

Position Battle – QB: Matt Cassel vs. Brodie Croyle. Apparently Croyle is putting the heat on Cassel. I’ve liked Croyle since he came into the league. Too bad Cassel has the contract.

Rookie Contributor – Tyson Jackson should eventually unseat Alphonso Boone at the left DE spot.



Oakland Raiders

Strengths – Hello!!! Hello-hello-hello. Echo!!1 Echo-echo-echo. Anything? Ok...I’m exaggerating a little, but why is it that every season, I’m saying that this team is in need of a makeover? So…strengths. The trio of RBs (Justin Fargas, Darren McFadden and Michael Bush) is the kind you could see on a championship club. They could all be starters, and they could also all fill roles. On defense, Nnamdi Asomugha, Kirk Morrison and Thomas Howard are the kind of players you can build a defense around.

Weaknesses – Where do I start? Heck…where else do you start? The Front Office (specifically Al Davis). This is one of the biggest jokes in the league. Daniel Snyder and Vinny Cerrato should send oversized gift baskets to these folks every year, just for being able to say, “At least we’re not THAT bad.” A lot can be blamed on the coaching staff too, but the front office chose them too. On the field there are many weaknesses, highlighted by a defensive line that’s not only embarrassing on the field, but on paper as well. Tommy Kelly must step up and prove he deserves his huge contract.

Opportunities – Chaz Schilens steps in as the #1 WR and is ready to show that even though you’ve probably never heard of him, he can put up some numbers. I was high on Jon Alston coming out of Stanford in 2006. he never got a fair shot in St. Louis, but now he’ll have the first crack at the starting strong-side LB role. Samson Satele should have a chip on his shoulder to prove Bill Parcels wrong in his assessment that Satele cannot block the bigger DTs in the NFL.

Threats – What threats? At this point there is nowhere for this franchise to go but up. Or, maybe they’ve hit rock bottom, and have broken out the jackhammers and shovels. This team brings deeper meeting to the word “Suckitude”

Passing/Receiving the Torch – Justin Fargas is penciled in as the starter, however it looks like McFadden is ready to take on the Lion’s Share of the load. Michael Bush is in line to receive more carries as well. Fargas could lose a lot of time. Maybe that’s why the team quietly had him on the trading block. He’s a good RB, and teams like the Bengals could really use him.

Position Battle – QB: JaMarcus Russell vs. Jeff Garcia. It’s the Fat kid with no friends versus the pencil-necked geek. No matter who you pick, you’re probably ending up with a loser.

Rookie Contributor – WR Darrius Heyward-Bey is slated to start. Maybe being thrown to the wolves isn’t such a bad thing. He has all the tools to be great. WR Louis Murphy has the tools to be a #1 WR, but he needs the coaching and maturity to put it all together. He could be a steal in the 2009 draft.



San Diego Chargers

Strengths – The passing game for this team is elite. Phillip Rivers led the NFL in passing TDs last year. Vincent Jackson came into his own along with Malcolm Floyd. Chris Chambers is still good for a big catch here and there. If Antonio Gates can get back on track, this offense will be tough to stop. The left side of the offensive line is built to open holes for the running game. They are just good enough in pass blocking to keep Rivers off his back. Marcus McNeill leads the charge next to Kris Deilman. Over the last two seasons, Quentin Jammer has been fulfilling his draft day potential. With Antonio Cromartie healthy and Antoine Cason rounding out the trio, this team has one of the better sets of CBs in the league.

Weaknesses – The defensive line leaves a little to be desired. Ryon Bingham fills in for Igor Olshansky, who may be a bigger loss to the D-0Line than most would realize. Jamal Williams is up there in years and there isn’t another true NT on the roster that can spell him. Luis Castillo needs to decide if he’s an elite player or an average one. He follows up a great game with one where he disappears. The right side of the offensive line could give defenses an opportunity to attack. Many viewed this area as an area of need going into free agency, and the club didn’t do much to address it outside of the draft. Kynan Forney and Jeromey Clary could end up having a long year.

Opportunities – LaDanian Tomlinson looks to be ready to go, and some experts claim that he isn’t washed up yet. Look for LT to come out of the gates firing and to turn some heads, especially working with a change of pace back like Darren Sproles. At safety, Eric Weddle and Clinton hart started to gel last season and could prove to be a decent no-name tandem.

Threats – Can Norv Turner prove that he is over his inconsistency issues and keep this team at the top of the AFC West? On the field, Shawne Merriman’s knee is a big question mark. There was talk of the issue being a career threat. If Merriman gets back to 2007 form, Shaun Phillips will regain his form on the other side.

Passing/Receiving the Torch – Marcus McNeill from Mike Goff as the leader of the offensive line. Goff was the cagy veteran that led this group. It’s now McNiell’s show to run, as he’s the man now.

Position Battle – WR2: Chris Chambers vs. Malcolm Floyd. Floyd made some huge catches last year, and seemed to surpass Chambers. However, Chambers is a solid target, and could fight Floyd off for another year. At ILB: Tim Dobbins vs. Kevin Burnett. Dobbins won’t be giving up the spot, until newly signed Burnett is comfortable with the system.

Rookie Contributor – Barring injuries, there may not be a rookie contributor. Closest thing would be Louis Vasquez at guard, if Fornay falters.

NFL SWOT Analysis: NFC West

Arizona Cardinals

Strengths – Kurt Warner had his renaissance throwing the ball to Fitz, Boldin and Breaston last year. That passing attack is mostly responsible for their near Super Bowl championship. The rest of the team came together just well enough to allow the passing game to accomplish that near-feat. The 3-4 defense is a great fit for the personnel on the team. Specifically, the defense plays to the strengths of DEs Darnell Dockett and Calais Campbell. The DBs came into their own last year. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie-Solomon-Smith-Barney-Booz-Allen-Hamilton made the transition from a small school rookie to a #1 CB without much of a learning curve. With the addition of Bryant McFadden, the DBs are potentially stronger.

Weaknesses – I will probably get a lot of grief for this, but the offensive line is not as good as what we saw in the playoffs. They came together, but I won’t be surprised one bit when they “shine” as the weakness of this team. Mike Gandy is the only lineman that I would have confidence in at this point, and somehow, he was the only one who’s play suffered during the playoffs. Also, as great as the passing attack is, the team lacks a safety valve receiver, and lost both Edgerrin James and J.J. Arrington, their best receivers out of the backfield. There was some hope for Ben Patrick, but his suspension for the early part of the season undermined that progress.

Opportunities – With Beanie Wells nursing an ankle, Tim Hightower gets a gift shot at reclaiming the starting RB role that he failed to impress in late last season. On defense, Alan Branch and Gabe Watson have the size to man the NT position, yet neither has stepped up. Bryan Robinson is not the answer, and at his size should not be standing in either players’ way from claiming the starting NT job.

Threats – Will there be high expectations for a team that barely won the worst division in football (maybe the worst we’ve seen in decades)? This is a mediocre team that got hot in the playoffs. Also, will Boldin’s unhappiness show? This team needs Boldin, as he takes full advantage of the coverage Fitz draws.

Passing/Receiving the Torch – Going out on a limb with this one. Adrian Wilson may be slowly getting ready to share the torch to Antrel Rolle, who made the conversion from CB to FS, and did better than expected. If Rolle continues to rise, Wilson and his contract could potentially come to the forefront.

Position Battle – RB: Beanie Wells vs. Tim Hightower. Both should share time, but the battle will be over who gets more balls handed to them. Hightower came out of the gate on fire last season when working inside the red zone. If Beanie Wells can dominate between the 20s, The cards may have a potent weapon where they lacked one last year.

Rookie Contributors – Beanie Wells will probably get most of the spotlight as a rookie, however don’t sleep on Cory Brown. He is an unheralded rookie out of UConn. He could surprise and get a lot more playing time than most would think.

St. Louis Rams

Strengths – The upgrades on the O-Line should go a long way towards patching things up. Jason Brown will be originating line calls and leading this line for the next few years, at least. Jason Smith was my highest rated OT in the draft, and will be eased in at RT. Despite how bad this team was, it is not short of offensive leaders. Marc Bulger, Steven Jackson and Jason Brown must take this team over, and help those around them excel.

Weaknesses – How does this team expect to stop any receiver with the set of CBs they have? Ronald Bartell is up and down (luckily, he stepped up last year), and Tye Hill gets out-played on most weeks. The Rams have a foursome of highly drafted CB talent. Can they step up? The LB corps is one of the weakest in the league. The team needs James Laurinaitis to step up. The WRs are not ideal. Someone must emerge from that group. Actually 2-3 must emerge for this team to get out of the hole it has dug for itself.

Opportunities – While the outlook for this team is bleak, they are in the weakest division in the league. If a couple of players pick up the slack and the veterans can perform to their standards, this team has a slim chance to surprise. Alex Barron was an athletic lineman, much in the mold of what teams are looking for today at LT. However, he was stuck on the right side with Orlando Pace there. Could Barron realize his full potential on the left side.

Threats – Have the holdovers on the team bought into the “Loser Mentality”? If so, it may be time to clean house completely. The team also needs to send a message to Richie Incognito, for him to tone down his behavior. This was the knock on him in college and it’s haunting him in the NFL. He nearly cost the team their first win, because he lets his temper get out of hand. How long will the team tolerate his behavior? Will it take losing a game because of him? This is the wrong kind of influence to have around young players.

Passing/Receiving the Torch – Looks like the torch may go from the Lions to the Rams as the worst team in 2009. However, San Fran may beat the Rams to the punch.

Position Battle – On a team like this, there should be a lot of open battles. The one that catches my eye is at WR. While Laurent Robinson, Donnie Avery and Keenan Burton are the top 3 WRs on the team, they will battle to see which of those three spots they will occupy. Avery should be the clear cut #1 though.

Rookie Contributors – Jason Smith is behind Adam Goldberg for now at RT, but should see the starting role at some point this season. Laurinaitis could see time at MLB, moving Chris Draft to the strong side. DT Dorell Scott could be a dark horse. The team could use a run stopper up front.



San Francisco 49ers

Strengths – Frank Gore has been outspoken and is finally taking on a leadership role with this club. He may be the only bright spot on offense. On defense, you have Patrick Willis as the type of leader you build an entire defense around. Mike Singletary has his prodigy/protégé. The D-Line may be somewhat of a no-name crew, but they actually have the right pieces to fit their style of the 3-4 defense. In the D-Backfield, they might finally have some decent depth.

Weaknesses – The overall theme of this team is under-achievers. Regardless of who the QB is (Shaun Hill, Alex Smith, Damon Huard, Gio Carmazzi), there is a lot of doubt whether he will be able to lead the team anywhere. Regardless of the QB, he will not have a great set of targets to work with. To make matters worse on offense, Vernon Davis is the biggest tease in football. He was one of the fastest and strongest players coming into the league, and has done nothing but disappoint. While the O-Line is led by an over-achieving center in Eric Heitman, the rest of the line was highly touted coming into the league, and has also disappointed.

Opportunities – This is Mike Singletary’s chance to show that he can whip an under-achieving team into shape. He could build a legacy off of this situation. Those who knew and remember him as a player have no doubt that he has the brass to do it. One player that could use that brass is Manny Lawson. He has all the tools to be a great pass rusher in the 3-4, but still has not lived up to his potential. He’s in the final two years of his tiny rookie contract, and might want to make a case for a renegotiation for the uncapped year. Delanie Walker could prove that he’s the better TE for this offense than Vernon Davis.

Threats – The amount of under-achievers on this team is way too high, and could be cancerous to the team. If they continue on this path, it may be time to do some major house cleaning.

Passing/Receiving the Torch – Tarell Brown is the closest to receiving a torch. He may start getting some sparks from Nate Clements as the #1 CB. He is the type of over-achiever that this team needs.

Position Battle – It’s a 5-man race (when Crabtree decides to join the fray it will be 6). Josh Morgan and Isaac Bruce are penciled in as starters. Brandon Jones is dealing with an injury. Jason Hill is the home run threat who has some length. He has the most potential (outside of Crabtree). Arnaz Battle was once a starter, and hopes to regain that form again.

Rookie Contributor – Michael Crabtree is an idiot. Mark my words, he will lose more money in the long run by holding out of valuable time than he will make by holding out. Grade-A IDIOT. The real rookie gem on this squad might be Glen Coffee. He should win the RB2 role behind Gore, and is poised to surprise. There is a Dark Dark Horse in Ricky Jean-Francois. He played the same 3-4 DE position at LSU, and seems to be fitting in here.



Seattle Seahawks

Strengths – The front seven is probably the brightest spot on this team. The LB corps are every LB coach’s dream. Lofa Tatupu leads the defense from the middle. Leroy Hill played so well last year, the team felt it could move high-priced Julian Peterson, to make room for Aaron Curry. The three together could be dominant. The D-Line has mostly quality no-name talent. If they can tie up the blockers, the LBs can play freely and cause many problems for offenses. Young DEs Lawrence Jackson and Darryl Tapp need to step up for this to be an elite front seven.

Weaknesses – Can this team really survive with Julius Jones and T.J. Duckett as the feature backs? The middle of the O-Line hasn’t looked good and only makes it tougher on the running game. The CBs must step up this year. Kelly Jennings is in danger of being cut or traded for next to nothing if he doesn’t turn things around. Marcus Trufant and Ken Lucas team up again, but they were probably a better tandem when they were younger. The young talent at CB is not the kind that you put out there as a starter. Josh Wilson is too small to be an every down CB.

Opportunities – The surprise this team might have up its sleeve is the passing game. After putting 47 WRs on IR last year, theyhave a healthy bunch with the additions of T.J. Houshamazilla…WhosYoMama…Houshmandzadeh and rookie Deon Butler. John Carlson could be a pro-bowl caliber TE, though it doesn’t help that Tony Gonzalez is in the NFC now.

Threats – Does Matt Hasselbeck have it anymore? I quietly had them in the QB derby on draft day, knowing they could take Sanchez and put him in the perfect situation to sit for a year behind Hasselbeck for at least the start of this season.

Passing/Receiving the Torch – Walter Jones might be passing the LT torch to Sean Locklear soon. If Jones gets hurt or falters, Locklear will take the position and not give it back. This will also open the door at RT for Ray Willis.

Position Battle – WR3: Deion vs. Deon. Branch vs. Butler. Look for the veteran to have the early lead, but the rookie will push.

Rookie Contributor – Aaron Curry is the obvious stud rookie on this team. In many eyes, he was the class of the 2009 draft. He should do a lot for this club. Penn State burner, WR Deon Butler, is hard to keep up with on the field and has a little Bobby Engram to him. Utility lineman Max Unger could find his way into the RG mix with Mansfield Wrotto when Ray Willis moves to RT.

NFL SWOT Analysis: AFC South

Houston Texans

Strengths – The offense is better than advertised. The key is the role players that surround the four star players (Matt Schaub, Andre Johnson, Steve Slaton, Owen Daniels). Kevin Walters and Andre Davis play the "big target and home run threat" roles that keeps defenses honest on Johnson. Behind Slaton, Chris Brown and Ryan Moats will do the same in a "Thunder and Lightening" role coming off the bench. Schaub and Daniels have Aikman-Novacek potential that kills defenses on third down. On defense, the front seven is loaded with young talent. Mario Williams leads the charge with Amobi Okoye and Antonio Smith helping on the D-Line with defensive captain DeMeco Ryans playing the sideline-to-sideline MLB role.

Weaknesses – The DBs are still weak, and will continue to be the bane of this defense. Dunta Robinson should be back to his form before his near career-threatening injury. However, Jacques Reeves is out indefinitely with a broken leg. Deltha O'Neal was brought out of involuntary retirement, but is far from an answer. Center Chris Myers is out indefinitely with a high ankle sprain (a worse injury than it sounds). While he is not a well known player, he ma be the most important cog of the zone-blocking scheme.

Opportunities – This is a no-name offensive line that is ready to make a name for themselves. If Myers can come back from his injury soon, and the guards step up, we could have a very strong team that could unseat the Titans for the division. At CB, Fred Bennett and Antuan Molden will team up to man the CB spot opposite Robinson. Bennett has more experience, but Molden has loads of potential. If Molden realizes that potential, he will take the starting spot and not let it go.

Threats – How different is Antonio Smith from Anthony Weaver? Both are probably better suited to be 3-4 DEs. The 4-3 didn't work out so well for Weaver, but Smith brings a lot of promise. Both Dunta Robinson and Owen Daniels are in stalemates with the front office on contract situations. Hopefully this doesn't undermine their production. They will both be playing for contracts, so this may be a good thing for the Texans this season.

Passing/Receiving the Torch – Duane Brown from Tony Boselli, fulfilling the promise that Boselli was supposed to bring to spark this franchise. Brown played great last season, and should build on that.

Position Battle – WLB: Zach Diles vs. Xavier Adibi. If Adibi can realize his potential, he could be special. Whoever wins the spot can rest assured the spotlight won't be on them with Ryans and Brian Cushing manning the other LB spots. Don't be surprised if Cato June works his way into this mix. At DT, Frank Okam could unseat Travis Johnson, who never reached his potential.

Rookie Contributor – Strong-side LB Brian Cushing should be the day one starter. He fills a huge hole that this team has had for a few years. Antoine Caldwell could get time early on in place of Chris Myers if he can fend off Chris White. Utility player Connor Barwin might get some pass rushing opportunities, as well as some time on offense as a blocking back or TE.



Indianapolis Colts

Strengths – Peyton Manning. You have to start with that name. The reigning MVP led an ailing team to a 12-4 record. With targets like Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark still playing at a high level, Manning shouldn’t have much of a problem approaching last year’s numbers. The offensive line, led by Tony Ugoh and Jeff Saturday, is back and healthy with depth that received valuable experience last year. On defense, a strong DE corps start with a fleet duo, Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis, who terrorize opposing backfields. The DBs can be great if they stay healthy. Kelvin Hayden and Marlin Jackson form a good combination of CBs that can cover many kinds of receivers, and former defensive player of the year Bob Sanders teams up with Antoine Bethea at safety.

Weaknesses – RB Joseph Addai took a step back last year. Hopefully Donald Brown can provide a breath of fresh air. If Brown can considerably ease the load, Addai could get back to form. The game of musical chairs at OLB has led to inconsistency. Two players must emerge as the full time starters to build continuity and camaraderie with their counterparts.

Opportunities – Pierre Garcon and Roy Hall both have opportunities as the WR3 and WR4. Both boast a lot of untapped potential in different ways. Garcon is a home-run threat. Hall can create space and make catches in the middle. If neither step up, look for BYU’s Austin Collie to get some looks.

Threats – The D-Line is light and athletic. However, they can be easily overpowered. They drafted a DT in the 2nd round, but Fili Maola is more of what they already had. Why not draft a run-stopping DT, when that was a weakness for the team last year.

Passing/Receiving the Torch – Anthony Gonzalez from the departed Marvin Harrison as Manning’s new #3 target (behind Wayne and Clark). If Manning can utilize Gonzalez’s lightning speed to his advantage, DBs better get ready to give some cushion.

Position Battle – Both OLBs: Philip Wheeler and Clint Session are the front-runners, however Freddy Keiaho and Tyjuan Hagler could make things interesting.

Rookie Contributor – RB Donald Brown, who could end up becoming the work-horse back of this team.



Jacksonville Jaguars

Strengths – Maurice Jones-Drew and Greg Jones are a couple of bright spots. Having them in the backfield together poses a dual threat to defenses as MJD can flat out outrun you, while Greg Jones can just flatten you. Rashean Mathis will shut down his share of #1 WRs. He won’t see many balls thrown his way. The defensive front seven is an underrated bunch with a healthy share of spotlight and role players, helping them fly low enough under the radar that they can be a surprise.

Weaknesses – This team does not look good. This was once a promising young team that was headed in the right direction. Now they are caught in a downward spiral. The WRs are a joke, regardless of Torry Holt’s arrival. David Garrard may not be good enough to cope.

Opportunities – With Fred Taylor gone, MJD has the ball all to himself (for now). If he can prove to be durable and the backups can spell him from time to time, he could put up gargantuan numbers.

Threats – Through the draft and free agency the team added depth to the offensive line, however several of the starters are coming off major injuries. If the injuries mount on the line again, stick a fork in this team. If MJD isn’t able to handle the entire load and the running game suffers, the passing game will suffer even more.

Passing/Receiving the Torch – The Head Coaching job from Jack Del Rio to an interim coach, if the team continues on this downward spiral.

Position Battle – DE: Reggie Hayward vs. Derrick Harvey. As much as the coaching staff likes Hayward, Harvey must work his way onto the field.

Rookie Contributor – RB Rashad Jennings. He was one of my steals of the draft. Don’t be surprised if he’s the RB2. He’s a big back with speed, he just played on a small level. CB Derek Cox and WRs Mike Thomas and Jarett Dillard could get some looks early.



Tennessee Titans

Strengths – Tennessee has one of the most potent running attacks in the league. Chris Johnson will have high expectations after his superb rookie year. A now svelte LenDale White is ready to prove that he deserves his share of the carries. They run behind the best set of bookend OTs in the game in Michael Roos and David Stewart. On Defense, the Titans have a great second-level defense led by OLBs Keith Bullock and David Thornton. Cortland Finnegan came into his own last season as one of the top CBs in the league. Michael Griffin and Chris hope team up to form one of the best safety tandems in the league.

Weaknesses – While the team tried to upgrade its WRs, they still need to prove they can produce on the field. This has been one of the weakest bunch of WRs in the league since Derrick Mason left the team. The defense lacks a true edge rusher. Jevon Kearse is not that guy. Vanden Bosch gets in the backfield based on his non-stop motor, but is in it alone. Could Jason Jones move outside?

Opportunities – With Albert Haynesworth in Washington, the task at DT falls on the shoulders of Tony Brown, Jason Jones and newcomer Jovan Haye. Keep an eye on Haye. He is a sleeper, and could be the top DT on this club at season’s end. Sen’Derrick Marks could get some time based on his size and run-stopping ability. Rookie WR Kenny Britt needs to mature early and get on the field. The team could use his playmaking ability.

Threats – Vince Young is a head-case living in a fantasy world. How long before he becomes the kind of distraction that negatively affects the team?

Passing/Receiving the Torch – Not many ready to pass. Eventually, Kevin Mawae will have to pass his torch to Leroy Harris.

Position Battle – QB2: Vince Young vs. Patrick Ramsey. After last night’s preseason game, Ramsey is in the lead. The team will give Young every opportunity, but at what point to you give up on him?

Rookie Contributor – Possibly WR Kenny Britt. Possibly DT Sen’Derrick Marks. However, keep an eye on Jared Cook at TE. He has the talent and athletic ability to be something special in the league.

NFL SWOT Analysis: NFC South

Atlanta Falcons

Strengths – This is a great offense that came into its own last year once they settled their QB and coaching situation. Matt Ryan and Roddy White formed an elite QB-WR combination. Michael Jenkins finally showed that he can be a decent #2 WR. Michael Turner played like an MVP while his backup, Jerious Norwood became one of the most underrated RB2’s in the league. The young offensive line gelled under Todd McClure’s leadership. Add to all of that, the arrival of Tony Gonzalez, and this offense has all the pieces to be a top 3 offense. Gonzalez should be a huge help to Matt Ryan avoiding a sophomore slump.

Weaknesses – Most, if not all, of the questions reside on the defensive side of the ball. This team boasts some of the weakest CBs in the league. Chris Houston has to step up and fulfill his vast potential. He can’t play like he has Deion’s coverage reputation, without building that reputation first. The defensive line was abused last year and they chose to address that with a sub-300 pound DT. Losing Michael Boley was a blow which was not fully addressed with the Mike Peterson signing.

Opportunities – Trey Lewis could end up with a lot of playing time as he is the only DT on the club who is worthy of getting playing time and also has some true run-stopping girth. He seemed to take a slight step backwards last season, but if he can return to the promise he showed as a rookie, he could be a lifeline for the D-Line.

Threats – Michael Turner cannot expect to last long if he carries as much of a load as he did last season. A large chunk of his running style is the kind that shortens a RBs career. Outside of Jonathan Abraham, the front seven lacks the speed on the outside positions to contain a spread offense. At the same time it has the lack of size in the middle to stop the power running games. With the loss of Harry Douglas as the WR3, will the Falcons get production out of newly signed Robert Ferguson and Marty Booker.

Passing/Receiving the Torch – Eventually, this season, John Abraham will pass his aura as the defensive leader to Curtis Lofton, as long as Lofton can keep from having lapses. This may be early, but it's as close a thing to a potential torch-passing they have.

Position Battle - CB: Chris Houston vs. Chevis Jackson. Houston should win it hands down, but Jackson will make a push. Brent Grimes might be in the mix too.

Rookie Contributor – DT Peria Jerry will probably start from Day 1. He needs to prove he can take a beating. He runs about 299 pounds and will play alongside Jonathan Babineaux who is even lighter. Before William Moore got hurt (which might take him out of the early part of the season), he had a chance to push Coleman and DeCoud.

Carolina Panthers

Strengths – DeAngelo Williams was a pleasant surprise last season. He looked dominant at times. Teaming him up in a “Lightening/Thunder” combination with Jonathan Stewart is a lethal combo for any defense. Stewart had flashes last season showing he could be a starting back. Teams with RB situations like this tend to thrive late into the year. To give them a boost, the Panthers have a strong O-Line made for run blocking. The group is made up of a nice mix of veterans and youngsters. LT Jordan Gross will lead the way again, with C Ryan Kalil and RT Jeff Otah ready to take a step up the ladder this year.

Weaknesses – The Defensive line was already lacking a decent bookend for Julius Peppers, but received the next biggest blow to losing Peppers for the year. They lost Ma’ake Kemoeatu to an achilles tear. Kemoeatu was an unsung cog of the line last year, tying up extra blockers. Now the team must turn to Nick Hayden and rookie Corey Irvin to fill in. Adding a veteran DT could be a solution.

Opportunities – Damione Lewis has a shot to prove why he was worthy of a 1^st round pick years ago by the Rams. He may have a long year ahead of him, but the coaches will know his true value in the absence of Kemoeatu. Charles Godfrey is in his second year as the starting FS, and can take this opportunity to take the reigns on the DB calls. As a former CB, his coverage skills can provide the extra support for when Chris Harris wants to roam near the line.

Threats – Jake Delhomme’s targets outside of Steve Smith are not impressive. If Delhomme falters early, due to a lack of good targets, will the fans start chanting Josh McCown’s name? Losing Geoff Hangartner and Frank Omiyale to free agency leaves the team with very little depth on the offensive line. One injury can put that line in a bad place. Jon Beason could be the biggest loser in the Kemoeatu injury. He may have to deal with blockers that were previously tied up by the big guy.

Passing/Receiving the Torch – Not many changing hands here. Closest would be Richard Marshall finally stepping into a full time starting role, now that Ken Lucas is elsewhere. This was somewhat in effect last year, but will be interesting to see if he takes a step up or down this year.

Position Battle – DE: Tyler Brayton vs. Charles Johnson (maybe vs. Everette Brown). The left DE spot should be wide open for these two to compete. Everette Brown is entrenched behind Peppers, but if he’s the best pass rusher of the three, he needs to be out there on passing downs opposite Peppers.

Rookie Contributor – DT Corey Irvin looks to be part of the DT rotation now. With the lack of O-Line depth, Duke Robinson could see some snaps. However, there is a Dark Horse. RB Mike Goodson has the coaches intrigued, and could get a few carries. You can’t keep that kind of talent off the field.

New Orleans Saints

Strengths – This was one of the best offenses in the league last season. There is no reason to think it won’t continue that this season. Drew Brees could have the MVP award in his sights. He proved last year that he has no problem posting huge numbers while spreading the ball around. The offensive line lacks big names, but plays well together and keeps Brees off his back.

Weaknesses – The defense has been a weakness of this team for years. They are almost like a 6-pack. They have all the pieces in place, but lack that little plastic thingy that holds it all together. There is very little depth in the front seven. This came to light with last year’s absences. They can only really afford one injury at DE.

Opportunities – Could the passing attack get even better with a healthy Colston around all year? Sedrick Ellis had some flashes of brilliance last season. Could he become the stud DT that this defense has desperately been missing? Defensive Coordinator Gregg Williams likes to bring the rush from multiple areas of the defense. The current set of DBs possess some physical attributes that makes them great candidates to rush off the edge. Will they put this defense over the top?

Threats – Will Reggie Bush’s knees become an issue? Pierre Thomas is the starting RB, and an underrated one at that. But, Bush is the home-run threat that keeps defenses honest, allowing the offense to open up.

Passing/Receiving the Torch – Darren Sharper, from VACANT, as the QB of the defense. Sharper could prove to be one of those missing cogs that this defense needs to put it over the top. If Sharper doesn’t show his age, this is within reach. If he does, look for Malcolm Jenkins to proceed to take the torch from Sharper.

Position Battle – CB: Randall Gay vs. Jason David vs. Jabari Greer. Gay should have the spot locked up, but Gregg Williams apparently really likes Jabari Greer. Jason David is in the mix, but still has a lot to prove, as he never really fulfilled the potential the team thought it was bringing in.

Rookie Contributor – Malcolm Jenkins and SS Chip Vaughn are the rookies with any chance of getting playing time. They may end up only getting spot duty and special teams work, but both are an injury (or poor play) away from starting.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Strengths – Can someone tell me where this offensive line came from? LT Donald Penn came out of nowhere and proved to be a good pass blocker. RT Jeremy Trueblood plays with heart (and sometimes too much, leading to on field fights). RG Davin Joseph is a stud. Jeff Faine has proven to be a great addition. At LG, Arron Sears’s career may be in jeopardy, but Jeremy Zuttah deserved a shot at a starting job anyway. The team might have a bunch of no-namers now, but the talent of this defense is still at LB. The LB corps run deep and boast a lot of speed. They will be led by Angelo Crowell and Barrett Ruud.

Weaknesses – This D-Line does not resemble a Monte Kiffin D-Line. The talent is lacking in a big way, especially at defensive end. Outside of Antonio Bryant, the WRs need to step it up, because they haven’t proven anything, and need to give the rookie QB some nice targets. Dexter Jackson has been talked up this off-season, but that’s about it. Can Michael Clayton ever regain rookie form?

Opportunities – Aqib Talib looked great on the field last season (ahem…ON the field). He could put himself into position to take on #1 WRs this year. Tanard Jackson and Sabby Piscitelli boast a lot of potential going into their third years with the club. We could see them manning the middle of the D-Backfield for years.

Threats – Are the RBs as good as their hype? Ward looked great in New York, but was playing for a contract. He also doesn’t have Jacobs, and almost more importantly, Bradshaw to team up with. Earnest Graham is decent, and had a good year two years ago, but which Graham will show up this year. Cadillac Williams is a wild card, but cannot be counted on. Kellen Winslow could be a great addition for Josh Freeman to use as a safety valve, or he can continue to be a head-case. Apparently, one Bucs coach has made a comment about the latter.

Passing/Receiving the Torch – Weak-side LB Jermaine Phillips moves over from safety to take the torch from departed defensive leader Derrick Brooks. This is the playmaking position of the defense. The front-seven is schemed in a way to open this position up to make a lot of plays.

Position Battle – QB: Josh Freeman vs. Byron Leftwich. The strong-armed (almost Flacco-ish) rookie versus Roethlisburger’s capable fill-in.

Rookie Contributor – Obviously Freeman, if he lands the starting gig. However, don’t rule out DT Roy Miller and DE Kyle Moore. There will be plenty off opportunity for playing time on that D-Line.

InClement Weather: Salary Crunch

Props to Armin on the fantastic work on the SWOT analysis. Be sure to check that out ASAP. His latest was the AFC North. Tweet tweet.

I'll poke my head in, if only for a moment, to talk NFL salaries. Why? Eli Manning's mega-deal (6 years at a reported $97-million, with $35-million guaranteed) has a lot of people talking.
Credit: NFLGoddess.com

No, I am not here to analyze that contract. Feel free to check that out elsewhere.

What I am here to discuss is a few interesting notes related to team salaries in 2008 and individual salaries in 2009.

Which team had the highest total payroll in 2008? I'll give you three clues:
A) They had the #1 overall pick in 1997.
B) They won a total of 5 games last season.
C) They beat Brett Favre last season.

Which team had the lowest total payroll in 2008? I'll give you three clues:
A) Their star RB likes to spit alcohol on women.
B) They're in the same division as the team listed above (highest payroll).
C) They are no longer in last place, thanks in large part to a newly acquired quarterback.

As for the rest of 2008, there were a few "team-related" surprises:
A) New England was third...to last. Wow.
B) Washington was in the middle of the pack. Wow.
C) Cleveland and New Orleans went #4 and #5 overall.
D) Despite Peyton Manning's insane contract, Indianapolis was in the bottom four.

As for the players, in 2008, the contracts were (of course) MASSIVE for the elite stars.

This man's smiling face was the NFL's highest paid defender last season. Not this year, thanks in large part to the tricky stipulations of NFL contracts.
Credit: PocatelloShops.com

Now it's important to note four things when viewing NFL player salaries, especially on a year by year basis:
1) No contract is guaranteed for every dollar on the penny. Eli signed for $97-million, but was guaranteed $35-million. I won't say only. You don't say only when $35-million is being discussed.
1) Base salary is often tiny compared to how much they make.
2) Signing bonuses often vault players you'd never expect in certain years. A 5-year/$50-million deal will almost never pay a guy $10-million exactly each season. Not a chance.
3) Cap value can be massaged quite a bit, especially with loaded contracts (whether front or back-loaded)
--> This means that a player might see 75% of his contract in a 2-3 year span, even if it's a 6 or 7-year deal. You'll see what I mean below.

For example, this guy's contract, which earned him over $27-million last season, broke down as such:
Base Salary = $ 2.5 million
Signing Bonus = $25.2 million
Other Bonus = $1,920
Cap Value = $7.9 million

That quarterback happened to win THIS.

But let's compare, for comparison's sake, him to the second highest paid quarterback, who made nearly $17-million last season, with his contract broken down as such:
Base Salary = $370,000
Signing Bonus = $0
Other Bonus = $16.5 million
Cap Value = $4.8 million

That quarterback had a QB rating of 77.2 in his second season as a quarterback, his first as the established full-time starter. Question is: will he have a third?

As for 2009, well that's not official just yet. Why? A few rookies have held out, a quarterback or two is still on the market (*cough* Favre), and the lingering CBA-crisis of 2010 has affected a few potential contract extensions (*cough* Leon Washington).

Nevertheless, Eli vaulted into the 3rd slot in 2009. Who is he behind?

Player #1: Carolina is paying this man more than $1-million a game. A GAME!!! The 1-year franchise tender made him the highest paid defensive player, if only for 1-year, E-V-E-R.

Player #2: Extending for 6-years (some semantics have it at 9-years total) at potentially $118.75-million is nothing to balk at. Especially when you've never won a playoff game. Check that. Never finished the one playoff game you were in. Okay, maybe that wasn't his fault. Nevertheless, the Bungles are paying A LOT of money for a quarterback for a perennial loser.

Right behind Eli? One name you might not know, but SHOULD and one contract you definitely know, but COULD'VE been even richer.

Leave it to the Raiders to hand out an "unprecedented contract". Fortunately, for once, the money was extremely well spent on the top cornerback in the league, Nnamdi Asomugha. Even better for the talented corner, he signed for only 3 years in Oakland...at a whopping $45.3 million. Of course, this is also the same team who gave their offensive MVP - punter Shane Lechler - a 4 year deal worth an insane $16-million. Yes, for a PUNTER!!!

Nobody was surprised when the Skins broke the bank for Haynesworth. Nobody.
Credit: Swampland.com

Albert Haynesworth, who rumors say turned down an even richer deal from Tampa Bay, broke the free agent bank biggest this offseason with a 7-year, $100-million dollar deal. That's an average of $14-million (plus) a year for the defensive tackle. Not too shabby and not too surprising considering Snyder and Cerato were involved.

If you want some outside perspective, here you go...in terms of total value:
1) A-Rod netted 10 years at $275-million from the Yanks, surpassing his previous record for a sport's contract.
2) The Yankees have handed out four of the five richest contracts ever (A-Rod, Jeter, Teixeira, and Sabathia). Surprise surprise, right?
3) Mike Vick used to have a contaract, at the time the richest in NFL history, for 10 years and $130-million. Now that's a distant memory, of course.
4) Kobe Bryant is the NBA's highest-paid player ever, pre Summer of 2010 Free Agent class though.
5) Bary Zito, Vernon Wells, and Rashard Lewis both have contracts at $126-million. Which surprises you most???

There's plenty to talk about with contracts - especially when guaranteed money is involved or not - and I plan on returning to the issue.

Of course on my teacher's salary, I'll need a good cry or two first. Tweet tweet.

NFL SWOT Analysis: AFC North

Baltimore Ravens

Strengths – The Ravens have an offensive line that coaches dream of. They are versatile. They are mostly young, having yet to scratch the surface of their potential. With the addition of Matt Birk, they get a savvy veteran leader who will make all the line calls. In the next 2-3 years, Jared Gaither and Michael Oher could be the top tackle tandem in the NFL (they’ll get an early start with Adam Terry going down for the year). Ben Grubbs and Marshel Yanda have been in the trenches since they were rookies. The RBs could be very strong this year, if McGahee and Rice return in full health. Le’Ron McClain moves to more of a non-traditional FB role after leading the team in rushing last season. On defense, they still have monster talent in Haloti Ngata, Trevor Pryce, Ray Lewis, Terrell Suggs and Ed Reed.

Weaknesses – The CBs are in a transition. While Fabian Washington was a breath of fresh air last year, teaming him up with Dominique Foxworth doesn’t make up the most desirable CB tandem. Samari Rolle, knee deep into his decline, will be the nickel back. At TE, Todd Heap took several steps back last season, as did new arrival L.J. Smith when he was in Philly. Will the two TEs together be enough to make up for last year’s void?

Opportunities – McClain’s move to the hybrid RB/FB role could make him one of the most valuable assets on offense as both as a blocker and runner. Tavares Gooden has an opportunity to prove that he is every bit as good as Bart Scott at freeing up Ray Lewis to wreak havoc on opposing defenders.

Threats – In my opinion, Joe Flacco has a stronger chance, than most would like to admit, at having a sophomore slump. Making a trade for Brandon Marshall would make a lot of sense (except for the fact that he’s a bit of a head case). Kelly Gregg and Trevor Pryce are up there in years. While Pryce has a decent backup, Gregg does not. Haloti Ngata may be able to slide inside. This should have been addressed in the draft.

Passing/Receiving the Torch – This could be the year that Terrell Suggs finally takes over for Ray Lewis as the Defensive Stud of the team. On the offensive side, Mark Clayton should be ready to take on the #1 WR role previously held by Derrick Mason.

Position Battle – WR3: Demetrius Williams vs. Yamon Figurs vs/ Kelley Washington all have their strengths and weaknesses. One must emerge as the playmaker in 3-WR sets. Williams has the early lead, and the team would love that to be Figurs, with his blazing speed. However, a rejuvenated Kelley Washington is the dark horse.

Rookie Contributor – Michael Oher was in line for a camp battle, but with Adam Terry going down to a season-long injury, Oher has an open shot. Oniel Cousins seems too much of a project to push Oher. A vet could be signed as well. RB Cedric Peerman could get some playing time IF there are injuries at RB much like last year. He’s not a bad prospect, he just slipped a little low in the draft.



Cincinnati Bengals

Strengths – The passing offense could be the one of the few bright spots for this team. Carson Palmer feels like he did before his injury. Ocho Cinco has a lot to prove. Last year was a dismal year for him, and with Houshmandzadeh gone, Chad will have every opportunity to resurrect his stature as one of the top WRs in the league. Laveranues Coles usually does great in his first year with a new club. Chris Henry might have actually matured this time around. The defense is young with veterans where leadership where it needs it most. The defense may be forced to carry this team if the passing game falters.

Weaknesses – The top two RBs on this team are under-achievers. Cedric Benson and Brian Leonard could give this team fits at the RB position all season. But, both have potential. The offensive line looks like it will be shaky this season. The one player returning the the same position as a starter is RG Bobbie Williams. The Andrew Whitworth LT project could be disastrous. Andre Smith needs to prove that he can eventually play on the left side.

Opportunities – Keith Rivers looked like a Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate before his jaw got busted. He has every opportunity to be the leader of this defense. Chris Henry seems to have learned from his past mistakes. If he can avoid distractions off the field, he has the talent to be a top-flight WR on it.

Threats – This one is very simple. As long as this front office and coaching staff is in place, the norm is that the inmates will run the asylum.

Passing/Receiving the Torch – IF Henry matures and Chad doesn’t, Henry will become Palmer’s favorite target. Forget Coles.

Position Battle – SS: Roy Williams vs. Chinedum Ndukwe. Ndukwe is more rangy and has some effectiveness in pass coverage. Roy Williams can step up and help against the run better than most safeties in the league.

Rookie Contributor – RT Andre Smith will start this season, and should eventually (over the next couple of years) slide over to LT and settle there for the long-term. TE Chase Coffman may be in line for a bunch of snaps, now that Reggie Kelly went down for the year.



Cleveland Browns

Strengths – This team is very lucky to have the offensive line that it has. They would be a much worse team without them. From Joe Thomas to Eric Steinbach to Alex Mack, this line is deep and has a nice mix of young and old players. The defensive line, led by Andre The Giant clone, Shaun Rogers is flanked by a deep set of LBs, that must come together and try to lead this defense. If Mangini can tap into some of the potential in the front seven, they could be effective.

Weaknesses – Who are they kidding with Eric Wright and Brandon McDonald as their starting CBs? Those are nickel backs on most teams. Who do they think they are? The Patriots? The RB corps is weak. Jamal Lewis is 29, old by RB standards, especially when you consider his running style. James Harrison didn’t scare any defenses when filling in. Nobody else is worth mentioning. Losing Kellen Winslow will be a pretty big blow to this team. While it’s nice not to hear his lip, the team will miss his playmaking abilities.

Opportunities – Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson still have a somewhat healthy competition. However, last year cannot happen again, with both of them underachieving. For Kamerion Wimbley, it is “Put up or Shut up” time. He’s on the verge of being a bust, however is being counted on as a defensive playmaker. Alex Hall will get opportunities on passing downs. He could be the pass rusher that Wimbley was supposed to be.

Threats – The Braylon Edwards situation could become a distraction. Edwards is the most talented skill-position player on offense. However, at this pace, he could continue his regression that started last season. Couple Edwards’s situation with the fact that Joshua Cribbs is in his own contract dispute with the team, and there is a recipe for disaster.

Passing/Receiving the Torch – If Cribbs is in camp and Edwards is not, expect Cribbs to take the offensive playmaker torch and run with it. He’s a home-run threat. Now if he can just get his contract situation figured out.

Position Battle – There are many. However, all eyes will be on the QB battle. The race is neck and neck at this point.

Rookie Contributor – Alex Mack if he can beat out Hank Fraley. If Brian Robiskie and Mohamed Massaquoi end up getting a lot of work during the season, it’s possible the team isn’t doing so well.



Pittsburgh Steelers

Strengths – Where don’t the Super Bowl Champs have strengths? The offensive skill position starters (Roethlisburger, Ward, Holmes, Parker and Miller) have started together for many years and work very well together. With playmakers like James Harrison and Lamarr Woodley playing outside of James Farrior and Lawrence Timmons, the Steelers could have the best set of 3-4 LBs in the league. The DBs are an underrated crew led by a beast, Troy Polamalu. Ryan Clark is no stranger to enhancing a beast safety (Sean Taylor). He is a great complimentary player.

Weaknesses – The offensive line gave up a lot of sacks during the season. The team didn’t do a good job of addressing that in the draft and free agency. The only good thing is that the line came together and did well in the playoffs.

Opportunities – Limas Sweed gets a nice shot at taking the #3 WR spot. Sweed might have been regarded as the top WR in the 2008 draft had it not been for the wrist injury. Rashard Mendenhall is coming off a major injury last season, but will have every opportunity to beat out Mewelde Moore for the back up RB spot.

Threats – This is the default for any Defending Super Bowl Champ. Teams will bring their best against the Steelers this season. It’s rare that a defending champ does better during their title defense.

Passing/Receiving the Torch – Santonio Holmes (gradually) from Hines Ward, as the #1 WR on the team. Holmes’s spectacular playmaking ability is much greater than Ward’s.

Position Battle – WR3: Limas Sweed vs. Shaun McDonald. The 3rd WR for the Steelers is always known for making big plays in clutch situations. Nate Washington was a perfect example. Sweed may be the favorite, but Shaun McDonald may be ready to do better now that he’s had a breath of fresh air outside of Detroit.

Rookie Contributor – Ziggy Hood should battle Brett Keisel for the starting DE spot opposite Aaron Smith. There are reports that Hood may already be penciled in as the starter.

NFL SWOT Analysis: NFC North

Chicago Bears

Strengths – Matt Forte was the offensive MVP of this team last season. That should continue this season. Do not expect a sophomore slump. He is also probably the best receiver on the team. To help his cause, Forte will be running behind an offensive line that should do great in the run-blocking game. The defense is led by a LBs Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs. Both should receive a boost from the addition of Pisa Tinoisamoa, who will take on a lot of the coverage tasks, freeing up Urlacher and Briggs to attack the line of scrimmage.

Weaknesses – The DBs on this team need to step up. If Tillman and Vasher have a repeat of last season, it will be a long year for the Bears. If Kevin Payne and Craig Steltz don’t have aces up their sleeves, the outlook will be very bleak. The WRs aren’t as desirable as most would think. Someone will have to step up, or the Cutler addition may backfire. A combined 16 sacks out of the four sack specialists on the team will not fly this year either.

Opportunities – Speaking of Cutler – he has the opportunity to be everything this franchise thought it was getting in the last few young QBs it has brought aboard. If a WR is going to step up, look for Earl Bennett to take the first shot. He apparently looked great in mini-camps and has been penciled in as the starter. The former Vanderbilt product was one to watch going into last year’s draft, he was projected higher than the 3rd round, and could end up being a steal.

Threats – Another spot where Cutler is key, yet for entirely different reasons. If Cutler loses any time to injury, the team is looking at Caleb Hanie and Brett Basanez to pick up the slack. Many teams have proven that a good backup QB is extremely important to the team’s success. On defense, an undersized front seven makes the team susceptible to a power running team.

Passing/Receiving the Torch – Greg Olsen (finally) from Desmond Clark. This has been a few years in the making, but Desmond Clark has been fighting it tooth and nail. Olsen is ready to step into the #1 role, and many are predicting a breakout year.

Position Battle – DT: Dusty Dvoracek vs. Marcus Harrison, Jarron Gilbert and Anthony Adams. Dvoracek might even be fighting for a roster spot. He regressed last year, coming off a very promising year.

Rookie Contributor – Juaquin Iglesias could break into the WR rotation. He will battle Rashied Davis, Earl Davis and Devin Hester for balls to be thrown his way.




Detroit Lions

Strengths – How many strengths can you have coming off an 0-16 season? Going through with a fine-toothed comb, one strength that appears is the WR/TE corps. Calvin Johnson welcomes two free agent additions that will go a long way to ease the pressure on him. Bryant Johnson and Dennis Northcutt are the type of receivers who know their roles and at times have played those roles very well. If Brandon Pettigrew lives up to his hype early on, he will give Stafford/Culpepper a big safety-valve target. The defense is underrated, yet could be the brightest spot on this team. It may take a few games for them to gel, because of the new faces, but there is talent.

Weaknesses – Somehow, the offensive line is not very good. This was a big problem last season, and they may have even taken a step back this year. The running game will probably continue to suffer. The defensive line doesn’t look like it will get many sacks. They are up there in years and do not possess the speed to get into the backfield. Cliff Avril will have to step up big to get the pass rush going.

Opportunities – This team has many opportunities. After a last year’s disaster, they have nowhere to go but up. Jim Schwartz has the attitude to toughen this team up, and under his guidance this team will not go winless again

Threats – The biggest threat to a team like this is for them to get stuck in that “Loser Mentality”. While the front office purged many players, there are still a bunch that have been here for a few years.

Passing/Receiving the Torch – First one must have a torch to carry. Someone on either side of the ball has to emerge as a leader. On offense, Calvin Johnson has every opportunity to take on that role. On defense, Ernie Sims needs to re-take that role.

Position Battle – QB: Daunte Culpepper vs. Matt Stafford. Look for Culpepper to seem like he’s getting the shot to take this team for the season, but don’t be surprised if Stafford sneaks in. The team has nothing to lose by starting Stafford from Day One.

Rookie Contributor – QB Matt Stafford should get in there early. Hopefully he can survive the potential bumps in the road. SS Louis Delmas could spend a lot of time out on the field and rack up a mess of tackles. I put him at the top of my list for potential Defensive Rookie of the Year. Brandon Pettigrew could end up becoming Stafford’s favorite receiver in the clutch.




Green Bay Packers

Strengths – The Packers potentially have one of the best QB to WR passing attacks in the league. Aaron Rodgers proved that he could play at a high level. Greg Jennings proved that he can be a #1 WR. With Donald Driver, James Jones and the emerging Jordy Nelson, there could be a lot of defenses that won’t be able to keep up. On defense, the front seven has quantity and quality. If they can adapt to the new defense early, the team might be able to lean on them on days where the offense sputters.

Weaknesses – The offensive line is in a transition. Four of the five spots are up for contention in camp. LT Chad Clifton is the only lineman who won’t have a big fight on his hands for his starting spot. The team also needs to distance itself from the fact that the team goes how Ryan Grant goes. When Grant does well, the team generally does well. When he struggles, the team struggles. This is especially true in the win/loss column.

Opportunities – The Dom Capers 3-4 defense gives the opposition a look they haven’t seen in Green Bay. Capers usually has early success with his defenses. There hasn’t been a 3-4 defense in the Black and Blue division for a long time. McCarthy plans to give Jordy Nelson every opportunity to earn playing time. Nelson may not be the most athletically gifted, but he will catch anything thrown to him.

Threats – Aaron Kampman has made it no secret that he doesn’t want to play OLB. Kampman is the most productive player on this defense, so keeping him happy should be a priority. Could this also result in a drop in production? The team brought Kevin Greene aboard as a consultant, probably for this very reason. If there is one former player who could convince Kampman that this move can work, it's Greene. Also, I don't know how many years I will be wrong on this, but will continue to beat this to death for another season: When are Charles Woodson (32) and Al Harris (34) going to show their age?

Passing/Receiving the Torch – Nothing dramatic, other than Donald Driver possibly giving way to Jordy Nelson if Nelson steps it up this year.

Position Battle – There are several. Many eyes will be on B.J. Raji and Ryan Pickett for the Lion's Share of the playing time at NT. However, every position on the offensive line is up for grabs outside of LT. Allen Barbre should be able to beat out Breno Giacomini at RT. Daryn Colledge, Josh Sitton and Jason Spitz will battle it out for both G positions. Scott Wells and Duke Preston will battle it out for the C spot.

Rookie Contributor – Raji and Clay Matthews will get a lot of playing time (and most likely both start). Don't rule out Jamon Meridith. He was a steal in the draft. He can play any offensive line position (except C). If Chad Clifton gets hurt, Meridith could be the top option.



Minnesota Vikings

Strengths – Adrian Peterson is the best RB in the league, and the Vikings offense follows his lead. If he can stay healthy for the full season, the MVP award should be no problem. Althought most know who Percy Harvin is, the remaining trio of contributors make up a decent no-named bunch. Bernard Berrian, Bobby Wade and Sidney Rice will team up with Visante Shiancoe to give the QB several decent targets. As much as the offense is flirting with success, the defense is the strength of this team, and could prove to be dominant.

Weaknesses – QB is still the biggest weakness on this team. Regardless of who wins the battle, neither option will scare a defense. Travaris Jackson has proven that he is erratic and cannot make the clutch throws. Sage Rosenfels may be the more stable option but has a very low ceiling. On the offensive line, from the C over to the RT there is more potential than proven talent. If John Sullivan and Phil Loadholt don't prove themselves in camp, the team could be looking for options on the waiver wire.

Opportunities – This team has "Surprise" written all over it. Sure, they were 10-6 last season. But, don't be surprised if they look like the best team out of the gate. I'll even go out on a limb and say they could be the last team in the league to get their first loss. The opportunity lies in the chance that regardless of last season's success teams may not take the Vikings seriously enough.

Threats – Let's just say I'm VERY wrong about my prediction of the Vikings flying out of the gate. How long before the fans start chanting Favre's name. Favre's flirtation with this team this off-season could prove to be the worst thing that happens to this team this season.

Passing/Receiving the Torch – The torch will eventually be passed to Percy Harvin, as a playmaker. The question is, who will be the passer? (Double-Edged Question?)

Position Battle – QB: This is the obvious battle. Ryan Cook and Phil Loadholt will also battle at RT. Loadholt is penciled in. Cook is a more versatile/athletic player, while Loadholt is the kind of player that blocks out the sun. If Loadholt wins the job early, Cook could slide over and battle for the starting C spot.

Rookie Contributor – Harvin and Loadholt. Harvin reminds me a lot of Devin Hester, and could have a similar impact as Hester did as a rookie. Loadholt reminds me of Jon Runyan.

NFL SWOT Analysis: AFC East

Buffalo Bills

Strengths – Leave it to T.O. to possibly be an Addition-by-Subtraction for one team, while also being a nice addition to another. Owens should be the best thing that could have happened to Lee Evans. While Evans has somewhat come into his own, he’s always lacked that running mate who can free him of the double-teams. Behind the line, Marshawn Lynch should have less pressure as he now has two backups that can step in at any time. Fred Jackson was there, but adding Dominic Rhodes could be a big win. The defensive line is underrated and goes deeper than most would realize. The fresh legs will be a huge help in the 4th Quarter.

Weaknesses – The offensive line has completely re-shuffled. Gone is All-Pro LT Jason Peters. Langston Walker moves from the right side to fill in. Brad Butler slides over from guard to RT. There will be battles at both guard spots. Finally, free agent Geoff Hangartner will be making the line calls from the middle. The defensive backfield has a lot of question marks. Donte Whitner is on the verge of losing his job. Bryan Scott has a ceiling, and it’s not high. Terrence McGee plays with heart, but isn’t built to take on #1’s like Moss, Fitz and Andre Johnson.

Opportunities – Langston Walker takes on some really big shoes, that may not be as big as they seem. If Walker stays away from giving up double-digit sacks, he’s already outdone Peters, because Walker is just as good (if not better) at run blocking. On the other side of the ball, after watching Dominique Rogers-Cromartie’s success in Arizona last year, it’s time for Leodis McKelvin to step into the starting role and show why he was drafted ahead of DRC.

Threats – For a team that made moves that a team makes to put themselves over the top (e.g. Terrell Owens), they have a lot of rookies vying for significant playing time. Aaron Maybin could be a mainstay on passing downs. Both guards, Eric Wood and Andy Levitre are challenging a couple of journeymen. Shawn Nelson has the most potential at TE. Jairus Byrd could push Whitner to start at FS.

Passing/Receiving the Torch – Trent Edwards takes the reigns as the unquestioned QB of this team. He didn’t really receive the torch from anyone other than the shell of himself who was constantly looking over his shoulder.

Position Battle – Both OG spots where Eric Wood will battle Kirk Chambers on the left side and Andy Levitre will battle Seth McKinney on the right. There will also be a battle at FS where Whitner will fend off Ko Simpson and Jairus Byrd.

Rookie Contributor – Several, due to good drafting. Wood, Levitre, Nelson, Maybin and Byrd have been mentioned. However, keep an eye on LB Nic Harris, who will mostly be a special teamer. He has “Ian Gold” written all over him.



Miami Dolphins

Strengths – One of the strengths that I always stress is continuity. With the Dolphins returning 20 starters (one will switch positions), this is almost as good as it gets. With C and FS the two new faces, the Dolphins can build on last year’s success without having to re-invent the wheel. At QB, they have the comeback player of the year. Pennington is one of the highest football IQs and is a great game manager. The running game should once again be a strength, running behind a line that was built for smash mouth football.

Weaknesses – Why did they choose to ignore upgrading at WR again? Sure, Ted Ginn is a flyer and Davone Bess and Greg Camarillo are big targets, but are any of these guys turning into Go-To receivers? The DBs have a lot of question marks as well. Yeremiah Bell has been an asset, but how confident can you be in Gibril Wilson when the Raiders gave up on him? The Allen duo at CB isn’t awe inspiring either. Will Allen needs to scour Florida for the fountain of youth while Jason Allen needs to tap into some of that potential that made him a first round pick.

Opportunities – Back to the running game. A healthy Ronnie Brown, who claims that he is 100%, and a rejuvenated Ricky Williams, who claims that he feels younger than he’s ever felt, could do some major damage behind that offensive line. Before Brown went down to a season ending injury two years ago, he was the top performing back in the league at the time. Now that they have the running game, and the comeback QB in place together, this team could be a contender.

Threats – Here’s where the Dolphins should worry. They have one of the worst kinds of threats to have. They are not a very deep team. Holes created by injuries to starters won’t easily be patched up. If the team can stay healthy, they will do well. If the injury bug hits, it will be a long season.

Passing/Receiving the Torch – This is a team where many of the players are caught in the middle. Not many are ready to pass the torch. Not many are ready to receive it. Is that a good thing? Is it bad? Hard to tell this early.

Position Battle - QB2: Pat White vs. Chad Henne. With Pennington’s injury history, the backup QB is extra important in Miami.

Rookie Contributor – Pat White will probably take the Wildcat snaps. While there are three DBs that have potential, don’t expect to see them much this season. WR Patrick Turner could get a look or two as well.



New England Patriots

Strengths – When you have Tom Brady throwing passes to this veteran receiving corps, there isn’t much to worry about. Randy Moss and Wes Welker will catch the lion’s share of passes. Joey Galloway and Greg Lewis are the wild cards. Galloway, who plays younger than his age, could be a diamond in the rough for this team. This offensive line is completely intact and has Super Bowl experience. Oh…and…let’s not forget, they’re the Patriots. (Ok…that almost made me sick…but the truth does ring there)

Weaknesses – While the CBs are deep, they have a lot to prove. Two of the three potential top contributors had the Lions and the Redskins give up on them (Leigh Bodden & Shawn Springs respectively). Couple that with the fact that the OLB spot is a weakness outside of Audalius Thomas, and you have a formula for disaster. If there is a lack of pressure on the opposing QB, these CBs will be spending too much time in coverage, and will be exploited.

Opportunities – Fred Taylor could step up and be what Corey Dillon was to the Patriots a few years back. Taylor could be the workhorse that opens things up for Kevin Faulk to do his damage. This is a deep, versatile set of backs that the team can do a lot with. From a coaching standpoint, Belichick has taken full control of the offense once again. Can he prove that he is the reason this team dominates on offense, or will he prove that Weis and McDanials were the geniuses?

Threats – Will Tom Brady start to hear footsteps? An injury like that has changed some careers for the worse, regardless of what condition the player comes back in. If Brady goes down to another injury, there isn’t another Matt Cassel type to take over again. This offense also thrives on the play of its TEs in the red zone. If nobody steps up, things could clam up pretty quick on the red zone offense.

Passing/Receiving the Torch – Ty Warren from Richard Seymour as the dominant 3-4 DE on the team. Warren was an absolute beast last year (coming off a down year). Another will be Gary Guyton from Tedy Bruschi (unless Paris Lenon beats him out). Guyton was a great college free agent find last year.

Position Battle – LOLB: Pierre Woods vs. Tully Banta-Cain. Woods is penciled in to start, but Banta-Cain is in his second stint with the club, and could use that experience to help win the job. RT: Nick Kaczur vs. Sebastian Vollmer. Kaczur is in the dog house with his legal troubles. That is why they drafted Vollmer, who is a great pick.

Rookie Contributor – Minor contribution at best, unless Vollmer beats out Kaczur. Darius Butler could get some looks if the CB injury bug hits the Patriots for the umpteenth season in a row. Ron Brace should get some time, spelling Vince Wilfork.




New York Jets

Strengths – The defense is the major strength of this team, especially with Rex Ryan aboard. This is an underrated defense that could find themselves ranked highly by the end of the season. The defense is led by talented set of DBs. Kerry Rhodes and Jim Leonhard will roam the center fields, while a foursome of CBs led by Darrelle Revis keeps receivers in check. An offensive line with a lot of potential returns this season completely intact (yet another team that will benefit from this “phenomena”).

Weaknesses – Any time you start a rookie QB (unless it’s Peyton Manning), it’s a weakness. Mark Sanchez will hit bumps in the road. The question is: Can the rest of the team step up when he needs them? If there is one spot on defense that I would focus on as a weakness, it’s the most important component of a 3-4 defense: The OLBs. Bryan Thomas and Calvin Pace are serviceable, but not dominant, like a James Harrison, Shawne Merriman or DeMarcus Ware. Both OLBs combined for 11 sacks last year. A pitiful number when you consider this defense is designed for those players to rack up the sacks. Also, with Pace suspended for the first four games, the team turns to 2008 6th overall pick Vernon Gholston, who was non-existent last season.

Opportunities – Chansi Stuckey could pick up where Laveranues Coles left off. Stuckey is no stranger to making a big catch. Now all he has to do is build chemistry with Sanchez as the #2 receiver. Dustin Keller, on the other hand, needs to become the safety-valve that will be extremely valuable to Sanchez. On the other side, Bart Scott and David Harris have the opportunity to be the next Ray Lewis and Bart Scott. Scott steps into the limelight, in a position meant to make plays, as David Harris will play an equally important, yet less spectacular role of taking on the blockers.

Threats – Age comes into question here. How old are Thomas Jones’s wheels? While he is in great condition, and Leon Washington’s presence eases the load, Jones is getting up there in years and in RB years, he’s ancient. Will contract woes for Jones and Washington cause drama? For a relatively elderly defensive line, there are too few backups to speak highly of. Maybe the Kareem Brown to TE project won’t last that long. When Kris Jenkins went down last year, it was nearly as devastating as losing Favre.

Passing/Receiving the Torch – This one is obvious. This went from Chad Pennington’s team, to Brett Favre’s team, and now it’s Mark Sanchez’s team. Maybe Sanchez can prove that just being a USC QB gives you the credentials to be an NFL starter.

Position Battle – WR: While Stuckey should win the WR2 spot, he’ll get pushed by Brad Smith and David Clowney. If you could take the strengths of each player and put them into one player, you would have your ideal WR. The two that lose out on the WR2 battle will end up entrenched in a battle for WR3. Not too shabby, considering this team will probably put more Three WR Sets out there.

Rookie Contributor – Obviously Sanchez, but don’t be surprised if Shonn Greene steals some goal line carries from Jones and Washington.